Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Global Marine Observations in 10-degree Bins derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS)

Global Marine Data

browse graphicICOADS logo
The Global Marine Observations in 10-degree bins are reformatted data from the International Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS). ICOADS consists of digital data archived at the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). ICOADS is the world's largest collection of marine surface in situ observations with 500+ million unique records from 1662-present. The coverage is global and sampling density varies depending on date and position relative to major ocean shipping routes. ICOADS data are made available through observations that are taken primarily from ships (merchant, ocean research, fishing, navy, etc.) and moored and drifting buoys. Each report contains individual observations of meteorological and oceanographic variables, such as sea surface and air temperatures, winds, pressure, humidity, wet bulb, dew point, ocean waves, and cloudiness. Also available are monthly statistics of observations. After the observations are summarized the data are not interpolated or analyzed to fill data voids. A monthly summary for an area box includes statistics (e.g. mean, median, standard deviation, etc.) for observed and computed variables (e.g. sea surface and air temperature, wind, pressure, humidity, cloudiness, etc.). The original ICOADS data are available in ASCII, native binary, and NetCDF4 formats. The Global Marine data are available in the 10-degree bins in CSV and PDF formats. The PDFs are available for Certification.
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (2009): Global Marine Observations in 10-degree Bins derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 1173, NCEI DSI 1178. Accessed [date].
  • NCEI DSI 1173_01
  • NCEI DSI 1178_03
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00606
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00606
Search Data
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • CSV
  • PDF
  • fixed-length ASCII text
  • IMMA
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1662-01-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2009-05
  • revision: 2009-07
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose Historical marine data are comprised of ship, buoy, and platform observations from 1662-present. Data values are delayed by one month. In addition to location, ship identification, ship speed, and ship direction, weather elements observed include: wind direction and speed, visibility, present and past weather, sea level pressure, dry bulb, wet bulb, and dew point temperatures, sea surface temperature, cloud data, wave data, and ice accretion.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (2009): Global Marine Observations in 10-degree Bins derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 1173, NCEI DSI 1178. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Originators
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Visibility
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Frequency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Ceiling
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Pressure Tendency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Sea Level Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Types
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Sea Level Pressure
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Speed/Direction
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Period
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Height
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Swells
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Height
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Sea Ice > Sea Ice Concentration
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Sea Ice > Ice Edges
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Ice Pellets > Sleet
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Hail
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Ocean
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (2009): Global Marine Observations in 10-degree Bins derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 1173, NCEI DSI 1178. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • WAVE HEIGHT GAUGES
  • ANEMOMETERS
  • BATHYTHERMOGRAPHS
  • BAROMETERS
  • CEILOMETERS
  • HYGROMETERS
  • RAIN GAUGES
  • PSYCHROMETERS
  • WET BULB THERMOMETERS
  • THERMOMETERS
  • VISUAL OBSERVATIONS
  • WIND VANES
  • TEMPERATURE SENSORS
  • DRIFTING BUOYS
Platform
  • SHIPS
  • BUOYS
Operation
  • COADS > Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Set
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov